Using your John Deere, and suddenly it dies off, and refuses to start even after several tries? This might be an indication that there is a problem with mower’s fuel shut-off solenoid. When this occurs, what you need to do is verify that the issue is from the solenoid itself.
Some problems that indicate a faulty John Deere shut-off solenoid is when the fuel shut-off solenoids fail to open or close. Another issue you might encounter is when you put your John Deere in running mode, but it refuses to start. In most cases, the solution is to replace the faulty solenoid.
In the post, I’ll explain some common Joh Deere fuel shut-off solenoid problems and how to fix them to get your mower back running. Also, I’ll also answer some common questions about the solenoid.
Contents
Failure to Open
One of the common problems of shut-off solenoids is that the valves fail to open. The way the solenoids work, their valves open as soon as you turn on the ignition. Opening the valve lets the fuel, in this case, diesel, through to the engine.
A solenoid valve that refuses to open prevents diesel from reaching the lawn mower engine. So, the lawn mower won’t start.
When you notice the solenoid valve won’t open, you can manually open it. There’s a knob or plunger at the end of the solenoid. To keep the solenoid open, ensure the knob remains in a pulled position to allow diesel to continue flowing.
Failure to Close
Apart from the solenoid valve refusing to let fuel in, another fuel shut-off solenoid problem is the failure of its valve to close. Think of the solenoid as a dam. When its levels are low, it lets out its water. However, once the water reaches the required level, the dam’s doors are shut.
If the solenoid’s valves fail to shut out gas after the driver turns off the ignition, your John Deere engine gets flooded with excess liquid. Once you notice that there’s a problem with your solenoid.
Just like in the case of the fuel shut-off solenoid valve, not opening, the solution to having a valve not closing is to push the plunger to close the valve manually. You can also replace the part.
Fun fact: In Solenoid valves, it is the activation or deactivation of the electromagnetic field that opens and closes the valves.
Faulty Solenoid Cable
The fuel shut-off solenoid has electrical components. These components need an electrical cable to transfer electricity to them. There are instances when these cables are frayed or damaged, which means the solenoid will not work.
I encountered this sort of problem once. No matter how many times I cranked the engine, it refused to start. It wasn’t until I began troubleshooting that I noticed the fuel shut-off solenoid wasn’t working as it should. Further investigations showed damage to the solenoid cable. Ultimately, I had to change the solenoid, which immediately sprung back to life.
Refusal to Engage
Like a stubborn mule, your John Deere’s fuel shut-off solenoid might say it has had enough. Refusal to engage means the solenoid can neither open nor shut its valves. The unwillingness might be due to a faulty cable, as stated above.
Another reason is that the fuel shut-off solenoid might have reached the end of its lifespan and decided to call it a day. As far as I know, the only way to solve this particular John Deere fuel shut-off solenoid problem is to replace the solenoid itself.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I’ll like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning John Deere’s fuel shut-off solenoid problems. You can find answers to similar situations or about lawn care on our website. Let’s dive into it.
What are the Symptoms of a Bad John Deere Fuel Shut-Off Solenoid?
The easiest way to know if your fuel shut-off solenoid is why your John Deere is acting up is if you encounter any of the following.
- The lawn mower engine shuts down all of a sudden.
- Your John Deere gives you a lot of trouble before the cold starts.
- Your lawn mower’s idling isn’t consistent.
- Your lawn mower has problems accelerating.
If you have noticed one or more symptoms in your John Deere, its fuel shut-off solenoid is probably wrong. If it isn’t, then it could be due to other problems.
Can my John Deere Fuel Shut Off Solenoid be Bypassed?
In older John Deere lawn mowers models, bypassing or manually operating your fuel shut-off solenoid is possible. If you notice that your solenoid is opening or shutting its valves, it is possible and easy to use manually.
The newer models are more complicated because their solenoids are harder to reach. So, the ease of circumventing your fuel shut-off solenoid depends on how old your lawn mower is.
How Does a Fuel Shut-Off Solenoid Work?
The mechanism of the fuel shut-off solenoid is quite simple. It utilizes an electromagnetic field to either open or shut its valves. When you turn on the ignition, the circuit closes, and current flows into the solenoid. This current energizes the solenoid, opening its valves and letting fuel flow to the engine.
When you turn the off the engine, the current is no longer flowing into the fuel shut-off solenoid, so it closes the valves, and fuel stops flowing to the engine. Apart from acting as a barrier from oversupply, the fuel shut-off solenoid also prevents lawn mower engine backfires.
Final Word
There is nothing more frustrating than experiencing problems with your fuel shut-off solenoid. Trust me. I have been there. The last thing you want is to force your lawn mower to start or deal with other associated problems caused by a bad solenoid.
Fortunately, you can purchase them online for a relatively low price and install them yourself. So, get one, and bring your John Deere back to life. If you need more solutions like this, check out some of my other blogs.
